Famed Irish chef arrested, faces extradition

Reuters News Service

Published
5:30 am CDT, Friday, April 11, 2003

NEW YORK - A well-known Irish chef, accused of stealing $50,000 in art from an exclusive Dublin hotel, has been arrested by federal authorities in Manhattan in preparation for extradition, officials said today.

Conrad Gallagher, 32, was ordered held without bail at an initial court appearance today.

He is accused of taking three paintings worth $50,000 from Dublin's upscale Fitzwilliam Hotel, where he ran a restaurant. Gallagher allegedly sold the art to an auctioneer in December 2000 for about $15,000.

Gallagher allegedly skipped an October court date in Ireland and has been listed as an international fugitive since November.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of larceny and obtaining by false pretenses, according to court papers filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Treinis.

Gallagher, the youngest chef to earn a Michelin star, was arrested outside his trendy Manhattan bar, Traffic, on Thursday night.

Defense lawyer Douglas Morris failed to convince Magistrate Judge Steven Gold that Gallagher should remain free while undergoing cancer treatment or that he should be freed on bail to take care of his business.

Extradition proceedings are expected to take place in federal court in Central Islip, New York, officials said.